The National Association of People Living
with Sickle Cell Disorder has called for a probe into millions of Naira donated
to the association through different organizations because it is doubtful
if such monies were not diverted.
The call was made in Awka by the
national coordinator of the association, Aisha Edwards after a ‘Walk to
Life in honour of Sickle Cell disorder patients which began from the
premises of Anambra Broadcasting Corporation (ABS) premises through the major
streets of Awka.
Edward also said the association is
at a loss as to what use was put “multiple millions of the Federal Government
and other individuals and corporate bodies donated on World Sickle Cell Day, to
Sickle Cell Day Foundation”.
She lamented that rather than
promote the course of people living with Sickle Cell disorder, people are
busy feasting on their plight and vowed that from now on, the victims
themselves will fight for their course.
According to her, members of her
group have been exploited by healthy people who do not suffer from Sickle cell and
that must stop.
She praised sponsors of the walk,
particularly ABS and its Managing Director, Mr Uche Nworah, Anambra state
Government, Chairman of Fresh Life Water, Mr Godwin Ezeemo Federal Road
Safety Commission, Red Cross, chairman of House Committee on Health in the
state House of Assembly, Mr Obinna Emenaka among others.
She warned people living with the
disorder not to be deceived by conmen who claim cure of the disorder through
their prayers. also warned young people to stop blind love but to check their
genotype status before getting married.
In his speech, Anambra state
Commissioner of Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike said Sickle Cell is easy to control
and cure if only people can undertake simple laboratory test to ascertain
their genotype status.
He said, the walk was one of a
series meant to challenge Sickle Cell disease besides being what will make
people healthy and to make sure that Anambra is free from Sickle Cell disease.
The Managing director of ABS,
Nworah, said the walk is an advocacy to inform the
people of Anambra state about the disorder more so, when one of the roles of
the media is to inform, entertain and educate.
Mr Godwin Ezeemo said
that the company sponsored the walk because of its strong belief in need to
create massive awareness of the preventable disorder and called on
parents to always guide their children and ward properly before it is late
Ezeemo described the walk as
positive action which will now match the publicity that has accompanied the awareness
creation of the disorder. and urged the people living with the disorder not to
feel less to the living without the disorder as in every disability there is
ability
The chairman of the committee on Health, Mr Obinna
Emenaka (Anambra West APGA) who is a pharmacist by profession also blamed
the widespread of Sickle Cell disorder to lack of information and lamented that
at this day and age, some people are yet to know their genotype and advised
that one should check their genotype before falling marriage
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